About Us

History Our Strength is in our People Why Winco Inc. is in Business Winco Inc.'s Business Philosophy

History:

Winco's history is Sam Widener's history. Sam was born and raised in a local community in the Johnson City, Tennessee area known as Boone's Creek, spent two years in the United States Navy, two years at Milligan College and one year at East Tennessee State University. Sam's parents owned and operated a locally famous floor covering business in Johnson City, known as Widener's Floor Covering. In 1969, they retired and sold all but Sam's interest to Winco, Inc. Winco was more into the window business; so in 1971, Sam bought out their interest and added back the floor covering. Then in 1987, Sam phased out the windows to concentrate on the industry he knew the best, floor covering. Sam's experience helped him to see that the best value, most durable, and sanitary floor covering solution was in ceramic tile. Winco, Inc. began a new focus as a wholesale ceramic tile distributor. Sam experience paid off and with his success Sam expanded to downtown Knoxville with the purchase of an existing wholesale ceramic tile distributor business there, in 1986. The Knoxville location soon out grew the downtown location. In 1990 Winco, Inc. relocated to the Knoxville's MidPark Industrial Park and begins to service and distribute in the Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky regions. Voted largest regional wholesaler by several manufactures and after receiving several awards for sales growth, Winco, Inc. has a distinct place in the ceramic tile market from Cookeville, Tennessee to Roanoke, Virginia and from Asheville, North Carolina to Harlan Kentucky. What's in Winco's future? E-mail, Sam Widener to find out.

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Our Strength is in our People:

President and CEO, of Winco Inc. - Sam Widener Sam's whole life has revolved around the floor covering industry. Most of his childhood Sam's parents owned and operated a locally famous floor covering business (Widener's Floor Covering), and with his current position that gives him a total of 40 years in the floor covering business. Naturally he takes the hands-on approach to running his business, while he supports his industry as a current second term board member of Ceramic Tile Distributor's Association, and as its 2002 President. He is also a member of the Tile Council of America installation handbook committee.
Vice President, Showroom Consultant, at Winco Inc. - Betty Widener Wife to the President, and Mother of Two (Chris and Kimberly); Betty through hard work and support, has also committed a large part of her life to making the family and the business a success. She has also spent most of her adult life in or around the floor covering business.
Knoxville Branch Manager, at Winco Inc. - Jesse Peterson Jesse brings over 20 years of experience in the floor covering distribution business in the Knoxville area. Jesse has10 years as Winco's Knoxville branch manager.
Architect & Interior Design Representative in the Johnson City Market- Kim Edwards Kim is an ETSU graduate with a degree in accounting and is a CPA. Kim has worked with Architects & Designer's for the past 10 years and is currently the only ASID associate to receive the "Industry Foundation Partner Award" for 2 years from the Tennessee Chapter of American Society of Interior Designers.
Architect & Interior Design Representative in the Knoxville Market- Kimberly Jersey Kimberly has been with Winco for three years.
Showroom Consultants With over 18 years of experience on average. Knoxville - Liz Bollom Johnson City - Glenda Ball, Betty Widener, and Jennifer Landucci

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Why Winco Inc. is in Business:

	To provide a high level of quality products, performance, and service to customers.
	To provide a quality standard of living for both employees and the owners.
	To provide for the continuation of the firm.

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Winco Inc.'s Business Philosophy:

	Do what is right.
	Align with quality manufacturers and customers for a win-win relationship.
	Sell our product through flooring retailers, commercial tile contractors, and building material suppliers.
	Provide technical support.
	Provide training for sales and installation.
	Respect customer, employee, and manufacturers' needs.
	DO WHAT IS RIGHT, ALWAYS!

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